By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
With only two days of games remaining in the district season, here is a look at the playoff race in each district:
By beating McAllen Memorial on Tuesday, McAllen High (34-5 overall, 10-1 district) clinched at least a share of the District 30-6A title. The Lady Bulldogs, who have an open date Saturday, can win it outright if McAllen Rowe (34-5, 9-2) loses to visiting La Joya High (12-23, 3-7). Otherwise, McHi would have to defeat La Joya Palmview on Tuesday to gain sole possession.
McHi and Rowe are assured the first two playoff seeds. McAllen Memorial (31-9, 7-3) is penciled in at No. 3. And Mission High (16-18, 5-5), which has been in fourth place for most of the year, can extend its season by winning either one of its remaining two matches. If it fails to do that, the Lady Eagles can still get in, as long as fifth-place La Joya High loses one of its last two matches.
District 31-6A
Edinburg North (29-11, 9-1) and Edinburg North (28-7, 9-1) are tied atop the 31-6A standings. Having split the season series at one apiece, both are likely to split a share of the district title, unless one loses either one of its next two matches. North closes against PSJA Memorial (15-19, 5-6) and Edinburg Economedes Economedes (1-25, 0-10). Edinburg High wraps up its schedule with Weslaco East (17-17, 6-4) and PSJA North (15-14, 4-7).
Edinburg North and Edinburg High are locks for the top two seeds. Weslaco East (17-17, 6-4) must win at least one of its last two matches to secure the the third spot. Otherwise, it has to rely on PSJA Memorial (15-20, 5-6) losing to top-ranked Edinburg North on Saturday.
If PSJA Memorial loses, its playoff livelihood would fall in the hands of PSJA North (15-14, 4-7), which is open Saturday. North would have to beat No. 1 Edinburg High on Tuesday to create a two-way tie for fourth — more than likely resulting in a head-to-head battle to decide the last spot. If North loses, however, PSJA Memorial gets in.
District 31-5A
Mission Veterans Memorial (29-6, 10-0) knocked off Sharyland Pioneer (28-10, 9-2) last week to sweep the season series. Mission Vets can clinch another district title by winning either one of its remaining matches or by having Pioneer drop its regular-season finale against Roma (27-9, 6-4) on Saturday.
Mission Veterans, Sharyland Pioneer, Roma and Edinburg Vela are assured postseason berths in 31-5A. How the bottom half of that order shakes out remains to be seen. Vela (22-15, 6-5) closes out the regular season at Mission Vets on Saturday. Roma (27-9, 6-4) still has to play Sharyland Pioneer and Valley View.
The District 32-5A title will come down to either Donna High (33-8, 12-0) or Edcouch-Elsa (21-16, 11-1). Donna rallied from two games in the first match to beat E-E. The two close out the season facing one another Tuesday at Donna. Assuming both teams win Saturday, Edcouch-Elsa can gain a share of the district title by beating Donna. Donna can win it outright with a victory.
In 32-5A, Donna High and Edcouch-Elsa have already punched in their postseason tickets. PSJA High (6-5 in district), which closes with Brownsville Porter and Donna North, should remain in third place.
District 32-4A
La Feria (26-11, 11-1) and Zapata (11-1 in district) are tied for first place. Zapata won the first time around. It can clinch the district title when the two square off Saturday.
La Feria, Zapata and Port Isabel (24-10, 10-2) are assumed the top three playoff spots in 32-4A. Grulla (15-18, 5-7), Progreso (6-23, 4-8) and Rio Hondo (4-8 in district) will battle it out for fourth place. Grulla has only one more match left against Raymondville (2-10 in district). Progreso winds down with Port Isabel (24-10, 10-2) and La Feria (26-11, 11-1).